Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Species
- Phoca vitulina
Habitat
Pacific harbor seals inhabit coastal waters, bays, estuaries, and rocky shorelines along the North Pacific from Alaska to Baja California. They prefer areas with easy access to both land for hauling out and shallow waters for feeding. These seals are adaptable to various substrates like sand, rocks, or mudflats.
Diet
Pacific harbor seals primarily eat fish such as herring, salmon, and anchovies, along with invertebrates like octopus and squid. They are opportunistic hunters, often foraging in shallow waters during high tide and using their whiskers to detect prey. Feeding typically occurs at dawn and dusk when fish are more active.
Behavior
Pacific harbor seals are generally solitary or form small groups, often hauling out on beaches or rocks to rest and bask in the sun. They are mostly diurnal, spending time swimming, hunting, and playing in the water, while exhibiting territorial behavior during mating season. These seals are curious and may approach boats or humans, but they are quick to flee if threatened.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status for the harbor seal is Least Concern, with the Pacific subspecies population stable overall. Major threats include habitat degradation, pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, and disturbance from human activities.